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[twin_blade]

Um, right.

*BEEP*

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[oblige]

I was responsible for defending my homeland's interests, so yes, when I was in Oriflamme.

[ The crystal formations growing around the cavern exude a strong enough glow to illuminate their path reasonably well as they walk, but Dion calls one of his satellites to trail ahead of them even so.

Vax might recognize it, if only because of the mark his dagger had made some time ago. ]

I once had to fend Ramuh off, in fact. He ensured the next time was when I was not present.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax notices as the little light takes the lead, as well as the scar still evident upon it. ]

Ramuh? Not Odin?

[ He'd only ever heard of Dion fighting with one other eikon. ]

[oblige]

Indeed. Ramuh once served as his Lord Commander.

[ A little bit of backstory as they continue their stroll, following his satellite's lead. ]

He quit Waloed after a time, but I met him on the field once just as I did his erstwhile liege.

[twin_blade]

It must've been quite a fight.

[ Vax would sound impressed had he not sounded concerned. Obviously, Dion got through it, but the idea of him battling various eikons and a god is just a bit harrowing. ]

[oblige]

If our surroundings prove faithful to the location in my world, you will see its aftermath.

[ But first they reach a landing, which spawls out from the close path they'd followed up to this point. It arcs out wide, its waist-high railing all that stands between its edge and the chasm below.

Dion pauses here, but when nothing accosts his satellite nor them, he continues forward. ]

That skirmish left some damage, you see.

[twin_blade]

[ As they proceed through the area, Vax's eyes linger on the damage done to the room by two giant eikons battling. ]

Fuckin' hell.

[ It's amazing the place is still standing. ]

[oblige]

[ It's just a rather large hole bashed into the wall as they wind their way further down, nothing too dramatic.

...To Dion's standards, anyway. He can do that much semi-primed. ]

In my absence, a dragon I'd trained stood guard... But I believe she lives no longer.

[twin_blade]

[ Nothing dramatic for Dion, perhaps.

Vax continues to follow, quietly taking it all in.

Even if this place is a little strange to him, since they don't have anything like this crystal where he comes from, he's still glad to see it up close, since it comes from Dion's home.

He wonders what happened to the dragon that was trained, but he fears it may have died during Bahamut's attack, so Vax decides not to ask. ]

I'm sorry.

[oblige]

She had a good heart.

[ So he feels, at least. He's naturally inclined to be a little biased when it comes to a creature he helped to raise. ]

I regret that she was left so near to the crystal for so long, though I cannot undo what is done.

[ Nor did he have control over it. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax wonders if the dragon died some other way, after all. ]

What do you mean?

[ Dion seems willing to talk about it. ]

[oblige]

Aether exposure.

[ He leads with this first, but he knows it demands explanation. ]

She was so near to the heart... And Mothercrystals contain vast amounts of aether. Even a resilient creature couldn't go unaffected for long once the aetherfloods began.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax hasn't heard of aether exposure before. ]

It affected her?

[ And somehow cost the dragon her life? ]

[oblige]

It turns living creatures Akashic. There is no recovering from it. One loses their sense of self entirely—

[ He can only surmise that was what befell her, based on what he was told. Though he can speak of his curse with an air of mild detachment, a certain numb acceptance he held to lest the horror overwhelm him, the same isn't true when he speaks of the dragon.

He did help raise her, after all. ]

'tis a cruel end for man or beast.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax frowns softly, a sympathetic look in his eyes, though Dion might not see it, but Vax steps up from behind and lays a hand on Dion's shoulder. ]

I'm sorry.

[ He wishes he could say more. ]

[oblige]

[ Vax needn't be sorry for it, Dion is tempted to say. But he knows that Vax is well aware of that. ]

Thank you.

[ He settles with that instead, pausing to glance toward a bridge far below. ]

You'd have liked her, I feel.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax steps around to Dion's side with a little smile at his words. ]

She was one of yours, so I would've given her a chance.

[ His hand gives Dion's shoulder a gentle squeeze to comfort. ]

[oblige]

[ He smiles softly at the thought and the gesture. ]

I've no doubt she'd have gotten on well.

[ But then, who wouldn't like Vax? ]

Shall we press on?

[twin_blade]

[ Vax can write Dion a list of those who disapprove of him, but he won't go that far. ]

Yes, but... could that happen again? With this crystal here?

[ Could people here be impacted by it and become Akashic? ]

[oblige]

If I felt that was a realistic possibility, I'd have warned against coming here at all.

[ Dion's tone is gravely serious, for he wouldn't risk Vax's safety that way. It would be beyond careless. ]

Such was why I spoke of Emet-Selch. He can sight aether, much as I can feel it, and he's knowledgeable regarding crystals. This one seems much like the first to appear.

[ Not an active threat so much as a disconcerting thing to suddenly appear in their midst. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax nods. Even if it were dangerous, he's sure Dion would have checked it out on his own. He's glad he's able to accompany his friend, instead. ]

Glad to hear it. Let's keep going.

[oblige]

[ Indeed he would have, feeling particularly responsible when it's a crystal from his homeland.

At least in this case, they're safe to proceed. ]

The path is a straightforward one.

[ He explains as he walks, the path narrowing to a sloping walkway once again. ]

[twin_blade]

[ As Dion takes up the path again, Vax moves into step behind him when it narrows. He glances over his shoulder now and again, even if everything has been peaceful so far. Dion warned him before their trip for a reason. ]

I've started gathering things for our mission trip. It's hard to guess what we'll need. Food. Camping gear. You know, stuff like that.

[oblige]

[ Dion considers that for a moment. ]

We'll have no issue with heat or light, between Joshua and myself. That may spare us space for other provisions.

[ At least, he'd hope as much. ]

Medicine for common ills could be worth bringing. [ Plus there's the matter of Joshua's chronic health concerns, though he doesn't volunteer that information. Joshua can decide for himself who he wishes to tell. ] What say you?

[twin_blade]

[ Vax smiles at the mention of Dion and Joshua's ability to keep the team warm and the lights on. ]

I was thinking the same thing.

[ When Dion mentions medicines for illnesses, Vax raises his brow. ]

Is Joshua still sick?

[oblige]

He is much improved, thanks to the medicine you brought him.

[ Something for which Dion is most certainly grateful. ]

It led me to think that, if one of us took ill during this mission, we'd do well to have medicines. Joshua is an excellent healer, but even so.

[ For all they know, they could need both. ]